Overall, when the available data are critically reviewed, the metabolic and possibly the reproductive implications of the two additional phenotypes proposed by the Rotterdam 2003 study are unclear and relatively poorly characterized. It should also be recognized that any differences from normal are modest at best. Finally, we should note that the numbers of studies examining these two new phenotypes and their fertility or metabolic consequence have been few and relatively small in number, and additional studies are needed to confirm these findings.

However, we recognize that emerging data indicate that patients with hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries, but apparently normal ovulation, demonstrate
in vivo
abnormalities of insulin action, albeit milder than those patients originally defined by the NIH 1990 criteria. These data suggest that this group of individuals may be at greater risk for the metabolic consequences, including type 2 DM, compared with healthy controls, although this remains to be confirmed. As such, and based on current evidence, it may be possible to expand the phenotypic limits of PCOS to include this group of women (
Table 3
) (
45
).

It may also be instructive to determine the basis for this urge to expand the definition of PCOS. Is it our desire as physicians to give a name to a disorder we are only beginning to understand, much as the ancients assigned Gods to all manners of unknown? Is it a desire for vindication because the sonographic appearance of the ovaries has been largely ignored by American investigators and by the NIH criteria for defining PCOS for over 15 yr? Or is it because we believe that our patients will be better off, in some fashion, knowing that they have PCOS and not simply ovulatory dysfunction or hirsutism?

In conclusion, although it is clear that polycystic ovaries are a frequent feature of PCOS, the widespread adoption of the diagnostic criteria proposed in the 2003 Rotterdam meeting proceedings should be considered premature, particularly when assessing the available evidence, and may have unintended negative effects on research, clinical practice, and quality of life. However, this controversy does highlight the immediate and considerable need for additional investigation into PCOS and its associated phenotypes and morbidities. Considering that PCOS conservatively affects about one in 15 reproductive-age women and that the health care-related economic burden to the United States alone exceeds 4 billion annually (
16
), research in this area has been clearly insufficient. This is one priority that we can all agree on.

The closest good beach is about 30 km away at
Hook of Holland
. Here you will find a very fine sand beach with good swimming and enough entertainment.

For a more urban-party beach experience head to
Scheveningen
where you can find everything beach-party addicts dream about; Endless rows of beachside bars, restaurants and discothèques and a boulevard along a splendid fine-sand beach. It can get
very
crowded here. Take the train to
skullprint scarf Grey Alexander McQueen rNMxa
Centraal Station and Tram 9 subsequently.

The

The main shopping areas in the center are the
51.919993
4.477304
Lijnbaan
and the
51.920675
4.484503
Hoogstraat
. Both are pedestrianised. The
Lijnbaan
, which runs straight south from the
Weena
(close to
Rotterdam Centraal
) was the first pedestrianised shopping street in the world when it was built in 1953. Now it is more of an average shopping street with average shops. In weekends it's very crowded. Linking the
Lijnbaan
with the
Hoogstraat
is the
51.920066
4.480523
Beurstraverse
, dubbed
Koopgoot
(Buying-gutter). A subterrainean passage, also connecting to
Beurs
metro station. It's all rather big and somewhat strange for a Dutch city, but it fits perfectly into the Rotterdam aspiration of being different. If you're looking for it, ask for the
Koopgoot
, as the official name is little known.

The
Beurstraverse
gives direct access to the city's main department stores:

The Markthal in the night

The Markthal from outside

There are about 12 larger and smaller markets dotted around Rotterdam. Most of them are enjoyable places to walk through.

51.920126
4.486789
Markthal
,
Ds. Jan Scharpstraat 298
(
Binnenrotte, Metro: Blaak
).
Market stands: M-Sa 10:00-20:00, Su 12:00-18:00; Albert Heijn: M-Sa 08:00-21:00, Su 10:00-20:00; Bars and restaurants: 10:00-00:00
.
Opened in 2014 by a Dutch princess (who else!), It is a quite remarkable building which is worth a visit
per se
. It more like a hybrid between a market and a shopping centre. Besides the large market hall, there are also residential, office sections, retail sections. Last but not least the Markthal houses a wide variety of bars, food stalls and restaurants. Enjoy meals or bites from mediterean or asian origin or try the famous Rotterdam fries of Bram Ladage.
(
updated Sep 2017
)

With a typical (at least for the Netherlands) Rotterdam skyline of skyscrapers, river Nieuwe Maas and Hotel New York
Fenix Food Factory
offers food/bites and beers on a unique venue. The building itself is an old warehouse which did not lose much of its original character.